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2009 Seminarians Delegation Visits Bosnia and Herzegovina
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
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One of the aspects of Week of Compassion I'm most proud of is our commitment to accompanying people in need for the long haul. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we responded with relief aid at the height of the war, served the thousands of displaced and those who crossed many international borders as refugees, and now invest in long-term sustainable development. As Bosnia slowly and painstakingly nears membership in the EU and things improve in this post-war, transitional society, we are excited about the progress of our efforts in the "Build a Village" program, implemented through Church World Service and our local partner organizations on the ground.
But this is just one way we are contributing to the healing of this country. The 8 seminarians wrote of our journey in a travelogue. It is powerful reading and invites you into the world of relief and development - this ministry that you help fund with your gifts and offerings to Week of Compassion. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are so grateful to be partners in ministry. To read the Bosnia Travelogue, please click here.
A "Build a Village" Update: The Trkulja Family's Story
 Boro and Branka Trkulja and their daughter, Dragana, live in Marinkovci village. Boro is a driver by profession. Before the war he worked for a state company, and since then, he has been without permanent employment. In 2000 he became involved in agriculture and cattle breeding. He started milk production and sale in 2006. On September 1, 2007, Boro became a member of Grahovo Agricultural Cooperative.
Boro has been working as a truck driver for the Cooperative for seven months. He transports milk from the sub-locations to the main lacto-freezer in the center of Bosansko Grahovo town. From the beginning Boro, his wife and daughter have been actively involved in the milk producers/farmers trainings and educations. They regularly attend meetings, actively participating in discussions during the lectures. They do this because they see a possibility in milk production. They want to increase their current milk production, to advance their farm, decrease business expenses and deal with milk production professionally.
After participating in one training session, the Trkulja family made changes in their thinking and approach to dairy farming. They decided not to stick to traditional cow breeding - it is not important how many cows you have but the quantity of milk that the cows produce. Now they know much more about the financial aspects of working the farm. Applying the knowledge gained through education and training, Boro has made things easier for himself and his family by applying modern methods of cow milking, milk hygiene and higher-quality cow feed. Additionally, he uses the veterinarian services less because he is now trained to protect animal health.
Currently, Boro and his family are preparing to build their own milk sub-location point. He will perform part of the construction work himself, and for the other part he hired an expert. He plans to complete construction of the sub-collection facility soon, because completing this work will directly impact the quantity of milk that he can produce, which he plans to increase. The other reason to complete the milk collection facility is that warmer summer days are here and the milk has to be preserved from spoiling. Lessons learned on new methods in milk production and hygiene are being applied; the lacto-freezer is just one example of a new technology for these farmers.
The Trkulja family has full confidence in people, in Week of Compassion, and in their partner organizations, Church World Service and Foods Resource Bank and the local Women's Association. They are thankful for a chance to gain the necessary knowledge to progress in their work because this work is their existence. Boro is an example of a serious farmer, and a model to other milk producers. Three other farmers in their community started to follow Boro's steps. They reject the traditional, ineffective, expensive and hard methods and have turned to the modern farming taught in the trainings they attended and Week of Compassion helped to fund.
In October of 2007, the Office of Disciples Women, along with Week of Compassion, journeyed to Bosnia and Herzegovina for their annual Women to Women program. Before the delegation left the States, they raised over $20,000 for the Milk Cooperative. They are now itinerating and presenting their journey to our churches across the country. We hope you have an opportunity to hear from one of them!
We are doing wonderful, long-term, effective and sustainable development work. Thank you for being a part of it!
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?
Disaster Response:
China, floods
DR Congo, conflict and displacement
Russia, poverty
Development and Long-Term Recovery:
Bosnia, community development
Thailand, human rights
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- Amy Gopp
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800,000 Now Homeless in Pakistan
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dear Friends,
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Week of Compassion is responding to the mounting humanitarian crisis in Pakistan through partners ACT International and Church World Service (CWS). As I write, I am in Geneva at the Ecumenical Center, where both ACT International and the World Council of Churches are housed. We have been discussing the escalating humanitarian needs in Pakistan and how we might best coordinate our efforts. The crisis has now escalated in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, as armed conflict between the state army and militants is causing major displacement of the local population. Of the total population of approximately 3.3 million in the three most affected districts, at least 25%, or 800,000 persons, are now displaced by the armed conflict.
ACT alliance members report that the majority of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are fleeing with few possessions, and most are taking shelter with relatives or in rented accommodation in the surrounding areas. Presently, there are six camps in Dir, Mardan and Swabi districts, accommodating approximately 1,200 families. The UN reported in Islamabad that four new camp sites have been identified to accommodate up to 60,000 new IDPs. Most responding agencies are focusing on providing assistance to IDPs in camps, however, with little attention given to those living in rented houses and with host families.
CWS has distributed 250 food packages and 190 shelter kits to assist refugees with available resources. Week of Compassion will continue to respond to this growing humanitarian crisis through ACT International and Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan. Gifts may be made online or sent to WoC, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Congratulations, Johnny!
Former Week of Compassion Director, Johnny Wray, will be receiving an honorary doctorate from Phillips Theological Seminary this coming Saturday, May 16. Commencement will be at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Tulsa, OK. We join Phillips in congratulating Johnny and recognizing him for his life-long commitment to serving Jesus Christ and all our sisters and brothers in need around the world. We are so proud of you, JW!
General Assembly Week of Compassion Dinner
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?
Disaster Responses:
Kentucky, tornado recovery
Virginia, trauma counseling
Louisiana, long-term hurricane recovery
U.S., 2009 spring storms
Dominican Republic, fires
Pakistan, humanitarian crisis
Development & Long-Term Recovery:
Botswana, child advocacy
Mozambique, transportation for rural pastors
Kenya, advocacy
South Africa, human rights
South Africa, employment
Africa, communication system to connect African churches
China, lay education
China, education
Philippines, community ministry
Florida, advocacy for farmworkers
To see the full listing of responses made to date in 2009, click here. To order a map, e-mail ecleveland@woc.disciples.org or call 317.713.2442.
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Amy Gopp
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Oklahoma Firestorms
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Dear Friends,
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Week of Compassion, in conjunction with the Christian Church in Oklahoma, has responded to the wildfires that recently roared through Oklahoma. First Christian Church in Midwest City and Faith Community Church in Choctaw both served as staging areas for police, fire and rescue personnel during the firestorms that swept through Choctaw and Midwest City on Holy Thursday, April 9. The fires destroyed 100 homes. Faith Community was nearly surrounded by flames but remained unscathed. The Reverend Tom Jewell, Regional Minister for Oklahoma, also reported that among those losing their homes was Shirley Bishop, a member of Faith Community Christian Church, who received a $1,000 solidarity grant from Week of Compassion and the region.
Earthquakes in Afghanistan
Two earthquakes hit eastern Afghanistan on April 17, killing at least 22 people and destroying some 200 homes, government officials said. The quakes struck Nangarhar province, about 50 miles southeast of the capital, Kabul, not far from the border with Pakistan. Affected were four villages in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar, Church World Service Afghanistan/Pakistan reported. Week of Compassion will respond through Church World Service, whose partners are now conducting a needs assessment. CWS has had a health program in the area for 10 years. "We will try our best to assist the affected people and respond to the situation as much as possible," CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan staff said, noting the region has been affected by drought, rising food prices and the return of refugees living in Pakistan. "This earthquake brings more challenges and deterioration to the province," CWS lamented.
WoC Celebration at General Assembly
Please join Week of Compassion as we celebrate our 65th Anniversary at General Assembly! Come to praise God for our ministry together! Our keynote speaker will be Kathleen Norris, author and poet. We will also be honoring Johnny Wray for his years of faithful service and dedication to Week of Compassion and to the Church. Our celebration will not be complete without your presence! For meal tickets, please click here or contact Elaine at ecleveland@woc.disciples.org
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?
Disaster Responses:
Afghanistan, earthquake relief
India, Bihar flood rehabilitation
Sri Lanka, assistance to conflict-displaced
Costa Rica, earthquake rehabilitation
Oklahoma, wildfire recovery
Development & Long-Term Recovery:
Nicaragua, capacity building
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Amy Gopp
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Tennessee Tornadoes
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
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Tornadoes in Rutherford County, Tennessee, surprised many on April 10. While many worshipped during Good Friday services that day, severe weather swept through the county. Murfreesboro suffered much damage as tornadoes touched down. Central Christian Church of Murfreesboro is in the heart of the recovery efforts. While our members there experienced some structural damage to their homes, all are well and no one was hurt. Rev. Steven Odom, pastor of Central Christian Church, is participating in an ecumenical effort of churches in Murfreesboro. With a grant from Week of Compassion and the support of the Christian Church in Tennessee, Central Christian is responding to recovery efforts and will support a longer-term response. We are pleased to partner with our local church, the ecumenical community and the regional offices in this way.
We Are Hiring!
Week of Compassion is looking for an Associate to join our team. Applications are due no later than May 31. For a full job description and other details, please click here.
Get Your WoC General Assembly Meal Tickets Here!
The Week of Compassion Celebration at General Assembly will be on Friday, July 31, at 5:30 pm at the downtown Marriott in Indianapolis. Make your reservation now! We are thrilled that Kathleen Norris, award-winning author, poet and woman of faith, will be our keynote speaker. You won't want to miss this celebration of our ministry together! The easiest way to secure your ticket is online by visiting www.disciples.org/ga and clicking on "Meal Tickets." Or you may contact Elaine at ecleveland@woc.disciples.org or 317.713.2442.
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?
Disaster Responses:
India, Orissa tornado
Tennessee, tornado relief
Development & Long-Term Recovery:
Michigan (2), food security
Iowa, food security
Missouri, food security
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| Week of Compassion is sharing resources and changing lives. Thank you for sharing your resources and helping to change lives.
Amy Gopp
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First Quarter Response Fund Report
April 1, 2009
Dear Friends,
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The Compassion Response Fund is an allocation the Week of Compassion Advisory Committee makes each year to enable WoC to respond quickly to requests for emergencies, disasters and other urgent and unexpected needs that arise. For 2009 the WoC Committee has allocated $600,000 for the Response Fund, and it is the single largest item in the WoC program budget. In addition to what is budgeted for the Response Fund, WoC also receives designated gifts for the Response Fund and for specific disasters, countries and situations that further enhance our capacity to respond to emergency needs and appeals. To date WoC has made a disaster response on average of once every two days!
Africa: [109,150]
$6,000 - Angola, relief to flood affected
$6,000 - Chad, assistance to IDPs & refugees
$40,000 - Darfur/Sudan, emergency relief
$6,000 - DR Congo, severe storms
$6,000 - DR Congo, crisis
$21,000 - Kenya, famine relief
$6,000 - Liberia, hunger relief
$6,000 - Somalia, assistance to IDPs
$6,000 - Zambia, food relief
$4,900 - Zimbabwe, food security
$1,250 - Zimbabwe, aid for medical clinic
East Asia and the Pacific: [10,000]
$5,000 - Australia, bushfires
$5,000 - China, northern Mindanao floods
Latin America and the Caribbean: [18,847]
$3,847 - Chaco Region, water project
$5,000 - Coasta Rica, flood relief
$5,000 - Costa Rica, earthquake relief
$5,000 - Honduras, water project
Middle East and Europe: [37,000]
$7,000 - Bosnia, long-term recovery
$18,000 - Gaza, humanitarian assistance
$6,000 - Iraq, assistance to IDPs & refugees
$6,000 - Republic of Georgia, post-conflict relief & recovery
Southern Asia: [41,000]
$10,000 - Afghanistan, medical care
$6,000 - Afghanistan, drought & food insecurity
$25,000 - Indonesia, post-tsunami & earthquake rehabilitation
General: [6,000]
$6,000 - 2009 Rapid Response Fund
North America: [82,019]
$1,000 - Arkansas, house fire
$1,000 - Arkansas, ice storm relief
$5,000 - Florida, long-term hurricane recovery
$3,500 - Georgia, emergency heating
$2,500 - Indiana, flood recovery
$9,000 - Kentucky, ice storm relief
$6,000 - Louisiana, long-term hurricane recovery
$10,000 - Louisiana, ecumenical build
$30,000 - Tennessee, hurricane recovery (evacuees)
$250 - Texas, house fire
$1,769 - Texas, hurricane recovery
$6,000 - U.S., 2008 spring storms
$6,000 - U.S., 2009 spring storms & floods
Lent Week 6: Dangerous Work
by Bonnie Carenen
The thing is, this is dangerous work. The business of caring, of having compassion, of love that loves the suffering and not just affluent, attractive, lucky people, is dangerous work. The work of compassion will call forth from you all of the hours of your day and the beats of your heart and the sweat of your hands, if you will offer them. It will set you apart, in unsettling ways sometimes, from the 'normal' people who know when to sit down and be quiet and leave well enough alone. There is a lot to be said for polite people who agree that good enough is good enough, and that is, well, good enough. However, compassion takes a different view: into the heart of the matter when children go hungry, into the soul of a person when her faith is capsizing, into the eye of a storm when a village is washed away, and at structures and systems that cause some people to suffer unnecessarily and disproportionately. Compassion understands that the stakes are high in the face of a crisis or disaster, and chooses to care because of it and not just in spite of it. Compassion is courageous, dangerous work because it says YES! to "my hands" getting dirty, "my heart" being filled with love and aching, "my feet" walking the hard road of faith in the midst of difficult days.
These truths are what wisdom has whispered to us throughout the long weeks of Lent. On this journey we have been tested and tempted and faltered and endured. God has met us in our loneliness, apathy, doubt, fear, and desire. God has shown us our heart and blessed us with the possibility of dangerous love. Love that may make us sit up and pay attention, stand up and sing, walk tall and say "Here I am!," speak up and say, "I care!" The danger is that other people may walk out, we may be left out, we may have to go with-out the people and expectations and stuff that numbs us to God's call to care. When we say yes to compassion, our whole lives are shared (even the dirt and sweat and doubt) so that the world may be transformed.
Week of Compassion is blessed to be a witness to the dangerous work of hope-filled, aching love which God has going on in every corner of the world, from the border of Afghanistan to informal settlements in Argentina; and Lake Charles, LA to Preodac, Bosnia. Each of us is called to this work, with hard hats, work gloves, life-preservers, and water filters to go around.
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?
Disaster Responses:
Indiana, on-going flood recovery
Tennessee, hurricane recovery (evacuees)
U.S., spring storms & floods
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Amy Gopp
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Lent 1
February 26, 2009
Dear Friends,
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The official Week of Compassion special offering season has come to an end, but we know that many of you receive your gifts at different times throughout the year. And of course, Week of Compassion is much more than seven days! We work around the world, around the year - in fact, we respond, on average, every 1.5 days to some form of human suffering in the world. We are able to do so because of you. You, indeed, are our greatest partners as we all struggle, together, to build the Realm of God.
While traveling these past several weeks, I was blessed to hear many wonderful Week of Compassion meditations, sermons, devotions, prayers and mission moments. If you have any that you would like to share, send them to us at agopp@woc.disciples.org and we'll post them on our website! Whether we like it or not, all of us would be wise to face the critical question Jesus asks: "Where is your treasure?" We hope we can continue to share ideas, inspiration and scripture interpretations about this year's WoC theme.
During this Lenten season, our wonderful intern, Bonnie Carenen, has written some beautiful Lenten materials. We hope you'll find these theological reflections and liturgical resources helpful and thought-provoking.
We are grateful for your partnership! Many blessings for a meaningful Lenten journey of compassion.
Desert Lessons for Lent
Lent is a time of heightened consciousness of God entering our lives. When a dove emerged from the clouds at Jesus' baptism this was divine confirmation of God's enduring relationship with the world. "This is my son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased." Immediately after this affirmation, however, Jesus went into the desert and his faith was severely tested.
This is often our experience, too. Sometimes God's presence seems to break through the heights of our commitment and joy, verifying God's love to us. It is easy to want only signs of God's favor. However, Jesus experienced a stunning turn-of-fortune upon leaving those baptismal waters. Mark's gospel reports that for forty days Satan tested him, wild animals prowled about, and angels stood by. It seemed that God was nowhere near when Jesus was most vulnerable.
During Lent we, too, enter a spiritual desert. We acknowledge that the dramatic appearance of doves pronouncing God's favor is not the only way God moves in our lives. In Lent we look to Jesus' desert faithfulness, his living ministry of justice and mercy, and his willingness to suffer, as lessons that reveal the height and depth of God's love.
Jesus' willingness to suffer is the premise of Week of Compassion's ministry in a hurting world. Compassion means "to suffer with." Week of Compassion understands that the workings of mercy and justice reveal God's presence in our lives, but require our willingness to suffer with others. When people's whole lives turn into a spiritual desert, due to ethnic cleansing and violence, environmental degradation, environmental calamity, or economic devastation, Week of Compassion works to promote peace, healing, life, and hope to break through. During Lent, and the whole year through, may you practice courageous compassion.
-by Bonnie Carenen
Around the World, Around the Year: Where in the World Have We Responded This Week?
Disaster Responses:
Kenya, famine
Louisiana, hurricane recovery/mission station support
U.S., 2008 revised spring storm appeal
Development and Long-Term Recovery & Rehabilitation Responses:
Uganda, food security
North Korea, food security
New York, anti-poverty advocacy & education
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Amy Gopp
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Week of Compassion is Upon Us!
Dear Friends,
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What a week it's been: ice storms in Kentucky, tornadoes in Oklahoma, bushfires in Australia, floods in Costa Rica and destructive weather in countries across Africa. And these are only the so-called natural disasters that have occurred. There is also communal violence in Orissa, India, ongoing strife in Gaza and further displacement in Southern Sudan. As we discern just where our treasure is during this Week of Compassion season, may we reach out in solidarity to those in need of compassion just this week alone.
Australian Bushfires
Week of Compassion is working closely with our sister churches in Australia. We have sent an initial grant to respond to immediate needs and will remain in close contact with our Australian colleagues. Jeff Weston from the World Convention reports that the fires are "the biggest natural disaster in Australia's history. Our Churches in the state of Victoria have many people affected by the fires." Craig Brown, the Federal Coordinator of the Churches of Christ Australia, adds, "So far 1800 homes have been destroyed, 7000 people are homeless and the death toll stands at 181. The authorities are just getting into a town called Marysville which had about 600-700 residents. Three buildings remain in that town. They expect that the death toll in Marysville alone will reach 100. We are bracing ourselves for more bad news. Your concern is reminding us daily that we are part of a global village, and that there is global compassion and support for the many who have been impacted by these fires." Ironically, at last year's World Convention gathering in Nashville, Week of Compassion prompted a meeting of aid agencies from the Stone Campbell movement to discuss cooperative involvement. Jeff Weston writes, "One of the things to come out of our discussion was to try and explore opportunities were we could respond together to major emergencies around the world, and in particular when they affect the immediate area were we have involvement." Who would have guessed that the need for just such a coordinated effort would have happened so soon.
Tornadoes in Oklahoma
Week of Compassion was in immediate touch with many of our churches in Edmond, Yukon and Oklahoma City as well as with our regional office in Oklahoma this past week. To date, our Disciples families are fine. There is great need for recovery efforts, however. We will continue to monitor the situation should any needs emerge. In addition, Church World Service Emergency Response Specialist Lura Cayton is based in Oklahoma City, and is active in regional, state and local emergency response activities. ERS Cayton is assessing the situation towards determining how we can best provide assistance through immediate material aid, training in long-term recovery processes, special projects in partnership with local agencies, and working to respond to community organizing needs.
Western Kentucky Slowly Recovers
The needs in Western Kentucky remain great. As folks and communities slowly regain power, the clean-up efforts continue. Week of Compassion sent assistance to the regional office who then distributed the funds according to the needs of the many churches in the Western Area. We have also provided solidarity grants to folks struggling to meet even basic needs as a result of having no water and losing power and food. We continue to assess the situation should any other help be needed.
Further Displacement of Communities in Southern Sudan
ACT International reports that a series of brutal attacks by the Ugandan rebel Lords Resistance Army (LRA) has hit the border areas either side of the Democratic Republic of the Congo/Sudan border. To date 23,569 people have been displaced within Southern Sudan. 120 people have been killed and 60 have been abducted by this rebel group, whose ambitions are still not clear. The nature of the attacks has been particularly vicious, involving beatings, and burnings. Over 7,000 refugees have crossed the border from DRC into Sudan seeking safety. Many of those displaced inside Sudan are women, children and elderly people - the younger men have in many cases remained in or near the villages in an attempt to protect their houses and crops, which are almost ready to be harvested, from the attackers. People are scared and disoriented and unsure when they will be able to return home.
Week of Compassion has responded to the urgent humanitarian needs of the displaced, mainly providing shelter and non-food items through its ACT partners on the ground.
So Where is Your Treasure?
All this is one week! As we approach the actual Week of Compassion this Sunday and next, it is my prayer that you understand just what a huge difference you make in the world by participating in this ministry of mercy and love. As we respond almost each and every single day to some form of human need, may you know, deep down in your bones, that you are an integral part of confronting that suffering with compassion. And that is God's love in action. Praise be to God for such an opportunity!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. |
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Week of Compassion is sharing resources and changing lives. Thank you for sharing your resources and helping to change lives!
Grateful to serve with you,
Amy Gopp, Executive Director |
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New Orleans Ecumenical Build
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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Week of Compassion continues its commitment of helping those who call New Orleans home recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Since the storm struck August 29, 2005, the faith community has contributed countless hours to the largest disaster recovery effort in U.S. history, but the journey is far from over. We give thanks for the hundreds of Disciples who have already given time, resources, skills and heart to this ongoing initiative.
More than three years later, however, many agencies have concluded their Katrina recovery efforts. Public attention has dissipated. Frustrated residents have not returned because homes remain damaged and whole neighborhoods remain blighted. The faith community's extensive response in New Orleans proves how small efforts at recovery can grow: a single house repaired prompts another fixed home. Families return. Schools fill again with children as a community is reborn. That is why WoC, along with the Office of Disciples Volunteering (ODV), is joining our major partner organization, Church World Service (CWS), along with nine other of its member denominations in rebuilding a single neighborhood: Little Woods, in eastern New Orleans.
This area was selected because of its diversity, its lack of prior attention, the size of the homes (1,200-1,400 sq ft), its ability to host volunteer teams and the potential for the ecumenical community to make a large impact. With your help, we will return at least 12 families to their Little Woods homes, while urging other groups to reinvest in adjoining neighborhoods. Cases for assistance will be selected by the Crescent Area Recovery Effort. The confluence of volunteers will constitute a blitz, with teams working weekly April 20 through May 16. Work teams will arrive Sunday, work Monday through Friday, and depart Saturday. While in Little Woods, volunteers will not be segregated by denomination. The goal is ecumenical partnership, working together to foster recovery under the CWS banner.
Please contact the Office of Disciples Volunteering at 888.346.2631 or brenda@dhm.disciples.org to schedule a work trip. See you in New Orleans!
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Around the World, Around the Year:
Where in the World Have We Responded this Week?
Daytona Beach, Florida: Long-term Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Honduras: Tropical Depression
Sudan: Emergency Relief, Darfur
To see the full listing of responses made to date in 2009, click here.
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Week of Compassion is sharing resources and changing lives. Thank you for sharing your resources and helping to change lives!
Grateful to serve with you,
Amy Gopp, Executive Director |
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Around the World Around the Year
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Where is Your Treasure?
Thursday, January 15, A.D. 2009
It seems impossible that February is just around the corner. Our Week of Compassion offering will be received February 15 and 22 this year. As we look toward this week of giving, I invite you to reflect on this year's offering theme, "Where is your treasure?" Little did I know just how timely this theme would be during this period of tremendous economic hardship and uncertainty. Perhaps there is no better question to ask ourselves now: where is your treasure? Where is your heart? As we all are faced with difficult decisions and many of us forced to make sacrifices, what a wonderful opportunity to examine critically our choices as consumers, as builders of the Realm of God, as followers of Jesus Christ. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).
Treasure of the heart is the wealth that satisfies in the long run: what we care most deeply about, the people and places we cherish, the experiences and qualities we value. On deeper reflection, as you think about treasure, perhaps the birth of a child comes to mind, or playing with grandchildren, a visit with a dear friend, scoring points for your team, memories of special people no longer present; maybe a moonlit walk during winter, the sound of birds chirping, the scent of a delicate rose. Many people find their true treasure to be in love, in relationships, in life itself.
That seems to be God's perspective. In God's eyes, we are treasure. Cherished, longed for, tended by, in relationship with, the Mighty One. Each and every person on earth is a treasure to God.
It is a treasure to have the sparkle of life, God's love, and the Holy Spirit within us. And yet, life can be tough. Hurricanes, earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis smash communities to bits. Wars and ethnic conflicts shatter the very foundations of life, shoving people out of their homes and transforming them into frightened refugees. Persistent hunger, drought, poverty, lack of education, and ill health shrivel the life and dry the spirit, leaving individuals to crumble from the inside out. Many times and many places, God's treasured children are deeply hurting.
One of the gifts of being God's children is that we are called to be "treasure tenders" for God. Through Week of Compassion, we gently, persistently, and strongly care for God's treasures. By sharing some of our earthly treasure - our money, our time, our energy - decisive aid can be sent when disaster strikes. Refugees receive help in the long term as they rebuild their lives. We help people help themselves through education, health care, tools, seeds, and resources to improve community infrastructure.
And the sharing is mutual. When we care for people nearby and far away, we can be transformed by experiencing the presence of God. Seeing what others have lost, we are reminded what matters most in life. Seeing what others live through, we are inspired to live courageously. Seeing that new life is possible, our hope rises. Working with others, we realize that God reaches out to all of us. Relying on God for the outcome, our faith increases.
Your heart will be where your treasure is. So, where is your treasure? May you find it, and your heart, by sharing resources and changing lives with a generous gift to Week of Compassion.
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Around the world around the year, Week of Compassion is here for you.
Sincerely,
Amy Gopp
Week of Compassion |
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Around the World Around the Year
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Greetings!
Thank you so much for your support of Week of Compassion. Here is the latest news from the ministry we do together.
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Week of Compassion Responds to the Gaza Crisis
Thursday, January 8, 2009
As most of us peacefully celebrated the holidays and the long awaited the birth of the Christ child, our sisters and brothers in the Middle East still await the birth of peace in their midst.
Week of Compassion is responding to the tragic situation in Gaza through our major implementing partner organizations, Church World Service (CWS) and Action by Churches Together (ACT). ACT efforts include those of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)'s Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), International Orthodox Christian Charities, the Lutheran World Federation and Norwegian Church Aid, all long-time CWS partners. These are initial efforts and will be expanded later as the situation continues to unfold.
CWS-supported efforts now include the provision of food, including high-energy biscuits for children, medicine and blankets, as well as the deployment of trauma counselors.
ACT partners are awaiting permission from the Israeli army for the supply trucks to enter the blockaded area. ( see story)
ACT members report that there is a need for supplementary feeding for 80,000 preschool children, but only one in four children has received such supplements during the war. The need for emergency psychosocial care within the war-torn area is overwhelming, ACT reports. "The best therapy for children is to resume normal life," says ACT's representative in Israel and Palestine, Liv Steinmoeggen. Providing aid to infants and small children, together with their mothers, is among our highest priorities.
Due to the complexity of the crisis and the potential for further violence, the distribution of food will be dangerous and complicated. ACT will operate together with UN agencies and distribute through Palestinian community representatives.
In addition to your generous gifts to this ongoing crisis, we invite you to join us in praying for peace in a region of the world that is still longing for the birth of true peace. Donate Now
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Around the world around the year, Week of Compassion is here for you.
Sincerely,
Amy Gopp
Week of Compassion |
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